BAXTER SEMINARY
Presidents
-BAXTER TENNESSEE-
Dr. Samuel E. Ryan
Dr. Frank S. Ditto
Dr. Patton R. Broyles
Dr. Harry L. Upperman
Dr. Paul A. Barker
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Dr. Harry Lee Upperman
Dr. Upperman came to Baxter Seminary in 1923 and became the fourth President. He was the driving force not only behind Baxter Seminary's success but even its very existence. One could truthfully say that Dr. Upperman's history was Baxter Seminary's history. From the time he and Mrs. Upperman came to Baxter Seminary in 1923 until he retired in 1957, he raised over $1,300,000 dollars for the school. Truth Honor Loyalty and Service were the goals and standards that he developed, taught, and lived. Students came in from around the world and graduates went out around the world in their jobs, in service to their country, and in service to their fellow man. He carried his "I Believe" card to introduce himself and Baxter Seminary. It was a very effective introduction for both of them. The people of Baxter and the western end of the county were well served by Baxter Seminary. Friendships that Dr. Upperman developed while President helped to sustain the school in good times and bad. Many notables came to Baxter to visit the school, speak, and to perform in the school. He was dedicated to the success of the students and to the school in order to teach them and to prepare them for immediate work, careers, or to continue their education in colleges and universities. He was president of the Methodist Church-supported secondary school in Baxter from 1923 until his retirement in 1957. After his retirement, the school, then a part of the Putnam County public school system, was re-named Upperman High School. A native of Baltimore, Dr. Upperman graduated from Dickinson Seminary and Junior College in Williamsport, PA, where he entered the ministry in 1915. While in college, he pa stored several churches in Pennsylvania and New York. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Syracuse University. Both alumni. In 1929, he received a doctor of divinity degree from Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa. Dr. Upperman was twice president of the Midsouth Association of Private Schools, was president of the Middle Tennessee Principals Association and twice was president of the Putnam County Teachers Association. He served as secretary of the Methodist Church’s Central Tennessee Conference and its successor, the Tennessee Conference, from 1924 to 1944. He was a delegate to the quadrennial Methodist General Conference five times during the period 1928 to 1944. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, Knights Templar and Al Menah Shrine Temple, holding offices in each.* Martin College honors Dr. and Mrs. Harry L. Upperman 'Dr. Harry Lee Upperman, long-time head at Baxter, Tennessee, has been honored by Martin College in Pulaski by having a dormitory named for him and his wife, Mrs. Elma E. Upperman. In so honoring the Uppermans, the college trustees recognized the fact that Dr. Upperman has spent his entire life for the cause of education of youth in the Middle Tennessee area. 'The dormitory, which was completed a few years ago was officially named Upperman Hall by the Board of Trustees of the college at their spring meeting on April 24, 1964. A plaque will be placed inside the dormitory with the inscription "Named in Honor of Harry Lee and Elma C. Upperman." 'When Baxter seminary was sold to Putnam County a few years ago, a great part of the proceeds of the sale was given to the trustees of Martin College to be invested. The income from this money is designated for scholarships for young people, with preference, going to those from the county of Putnam and adjacent counties. The college permanent endowment was increased some $230,000 by this gift. 'When Baxter Seminary was living memorial to this educator of many years since the name sold, Dr. Upperman Retired. The Dormitory on the Martin College campus will be the only of Baxter Seminary does not carry his name personally. 'The building will be officially dedicated and named at the special ceremony on Graduation Day at the college, which is May 31. 'The ceremony of dedication and naming will take place on the sight of the dormitory at 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon. 'Martin College is owned and operated by the Tennessee Annual Conference of the Methodist Church, which also owned and operated Baxter Seminary.' - May 8, 1964, Rutherford Courier, Smyrna, TN Transcribed by A. J. Lambert *
* More at www.ajlambert.com.
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